Is Lack of Sleep Hurting Your Health?

Everyone occasionally experiences sleepless nights, but for some people, persistent insomnia and lack of quality sleep can lead to serious physical and mental health problems. It is recommended that the average adult gets around eight hours of restful sleep every night, and this means falling asleep in a reasonable amount of time, staying asleep through most of the night, and creating the conditions for your body and brain to sufficiently recharge. One bad night’s sleep can cause irritability, brain fog, and decreased energy. Chronic sleep problems, however, can result in long-term consequences such as high blood pressure and weight gain.

Sleep deprivation is a common issue for many adults for a variety of reasons including stress, anxiety, and caring for young children. Unfortunately, most people aren’t well informed about how to properly treat their insomnia, and may turn to substances like caffeine and alcohol to get them through their days and nights. While caffeine can give you a temporary energy boost and make you feel more alert, drinking coffee or soda throughout the day can lead to increased wakefulness at night, making the cycle of insomnia more difficult to break.

Many people use alcohol at night to become drowsy and fall asleep. Unfortunately, sleeping under the influence of alcohol can feel to your brain as if you aren’t sleeping at all. Alcohol causes you to fall into a deep sleep and skip the REM (rapid eye movement) portion of your sleep cycle. REM sleep is the period of sleep in which we receive the most benefits to our bodies and minds, which is why hangovers are usually accompanied by extreme drowsiness and exhaustion. Using alcohol to sleep may also result in addiction, a serious health problem that will only worsen your sleep issues and create more obstacles on your path to finding health and wellness.

If you have been using alcohol to cope with sleep issues, there is a better alternative. At Arbor Behavioral Healthcare, you will meet knowledgeable, compassionate professionals that understand addiction in all its forms. The Arbor uses an integrative and holistic approach to treat addiction and mental health issues. No treatment is one-size-fits-all, and at The Arbor you will have a team of experts prepared to create your customized treatment plan. We offer care for your mind, body, and spirit, so that you can heal from the inside out and look forward to a lifetime of sobriety and wellness. If you are ready to take the first step in your recovery, please call us at 844-413-2690.